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08.17.17

Marlon Mack took the bulk of second-team reps at Wednesday's practice, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.

Impact

While seemingly destined to open the season third on the depth chart, Mack at least has a chance to get extended run with the second unit while the Colts use Robert Turbin with the starters to avoid overworking 34-year-old Frank Gore. Given Gore's age and Turbin's uninspiring NFL track record, the fourth-round rookie could earn a change-of-pace role, providing some much-needed explosiveness from the Indy backfield. The Colts hope Mack will eventually be Gore's successor in the lead role.

08.17.17

Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) was told he won't play in Sunday's preseason game against Atlanta, ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler reports.

Impact

Roethlisberger has been nursing a minor ankle injury for the past couple weeks, and while he'd probably be fine to play through it in the regular season, the Steelers will wait until Aug. 26 against the Colts to have their starting quarterback make his preseason debut. Rookie fourth-round pick Joshua Dobbs is expected to start Sunday, though No. 2 QB Landry Jones (abdominal) might be ready after returning to practice Wednesday.

Impact

Dobbs struggled as the starter in Pittsburgh's preseason opener, completing eight of 15 passes for 100 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) will be held out for a second straight week, but there is some chance No. 2 quarterback Landry Jones (abdomen) will be available after he returned to practice Wednesday. Dobbs, a fourth-round pick in this year's draft, figures to make the final roster as a developmental project behind Roethlisberger and Jones.

08.17.17

Mike Gillislee (hamstring) didn't travel with the Patriots for joint team practices with the Texans this week, Jeff Howe of The Boston Herald reports.

Impact

Gillislee missed the preseason opener and likely will be held out for Saturday's exhibition in Houston. He's been limited or absent from practice for more than a week, while backfield mates Rex Burkhead, James White, Dion Lewis and Brandon Bolden all have been healthy. Burkhead represents Gillislee's main competition for the early down work and goal-line carries that LeGarrette Blount handled last season. There's still time for the former Bill to lock down a key role, but all the missed work isn't helping his cause.

08.17.17

Kenneth Farrow carried the ball two times for 15 yards in Sunday's preseason loss to the Seahawks.

Impact

Farrow appears to be fully healthy following an injury to his shoulder that forced the undrafted free agent to miss the final two games of the 2016 season. While Branden Oliver seems to have a lock on the No. 2 role behind Melvin Gordon, Farrow could sneak his way up the depth chart down the road if injuries hit the aforementioned duo.

08.17.17

Marcus Johnson has the inside track to a roster spot, Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice reports.

Impact

Johnson spent a good portion of training camp filling in for Alshon Jeffery with the first-team offense while Philadelphia's No. 1 receiver was sidelined by a shoulder strain. Jeffery's return to health has pushed Johnson back to the second unit, but it seems he took advantage of the opportunity to make a strong impression on the Eagles' coaching staff. With Jordan Matthews no longer in the picture, Johnson likely will open the season either fourth or fifth on the depth chart. He spent some time on the Philadelphia practice squad as an undrafted rookie last year.

08.17.17

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians doesn't expect Chad Williams (shin) to have a role on offense early in the season, ESPN.com's Josh Weinfuss reports.

Impact

Arians hinted that Williams was buried on the depth chart early in training camp, saying the third-round rookie needed to improve his conditioning just to have a shot at earning a role. Williams subsequently has been bothered by shin splints, though he did return to a full practice Tuesday. His path to immediate playing time will come on special teams, with the possibility of earning a role at wideout later in the year. The Cardinals seemingly have their eyes on developing Williams for 2018 and beyond.

Impact

Poutasi has been swapping back-and-forth with starter Jermey Parnell in practice throughout training camp. The third-year lineman does not figure to unseat Parnell, but he is competing for a chance to be the first tackle off the bench.

Impact

Greene's absence at practice indicates he will be unlikely to take the field during the team's second preseason matchup against the Buccaneers on Thursday. Greene, who is not a lock to make the final roster, will look to get back to practice sooner than later.

08.17.17

Michael Bennett (calf) could be sidelined for the team's next exhibition game against the Buccaneers, Ryan O'Halloran of Jacksonville.com reports.

Impact

Bennett was absent from practice Wednesday, which is the reason he is unlikely to take the field Thursday. The 24-year-old is currently competing for snaps providing depth at defensive tackle.

08.17.17

Johnathan Hankins (ankle) is back on the field and could see increased reps in this week's exhibition contest versus the Cowboys, Andrew Walker of the Colts' official website reports.

Impact

Hankins, a key offseason pickup, projects to start at defensive end in Week 1. He was held out of the team's preseason opener for precautionary reasons, but appears to be recovering well. Head coach Chuck Pagano indicated Hankins is "doing much better."

08.17.17

Tony Washington (chest) was active during the Texans' preseason opener.

Impact

Washington, who spent 2016 on the team's injured reserve, saw six snaps during the contest. While he still figures to have a long shot at landing on the final roster, he will continue looking to impress during camp.

08.17.17

Ka'imi Fairbairn (quad) kicked the Texans' lone field goal attempt in their preseason opener, Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official website reports.

Impact

Fairbairn, who spent 2016 on the team's injured reserve, nailed the 25-yard attempt. It is unclear why he got the opportunity over Nick Novak, but the latter still figures to be the favorite to win the role.

08.17.17

D.J. Hayden (hamstring) has been an active participant during camp, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Impact

Hayden, who was slowed down with a hamstring injury during the offseason, received first team reps during the Lions' preseason opener with Darius Slay sidelined. He projects to provide cornerback depth heading into the regular season.

Impact

Raymond was sidelined in June during the team's organized workouts due to a hand injury. However, he has been making up for lost time by standing out in practice. The 23-year-old played in just one game during his rookie season, and is battling for a roster spot among a plethora of receiving candidates.

08.17.17

Bernard Pierce (hamstring) has yet to return to Broncos' practice, Andrew Mason of the Broncos' team website reports.

Impact

After spending the majority of 2016 on the injured reserve, Pierce signed a reserve/future contract with the team during the offseason. It is unclear when Pierce suffered the hamstring injury, but it has kept him absent from the first three weeks of training camp. At this point, he figures to have a tough time earning a spot on the final roster.

08.17.17

Donavin Newsom (concussion) will revert to the 49ers injured reserve after getting waived/injured by the team, Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group reports.

Impact

The concussion occurred as the result of a collision. Newsom figured to be a long shot at landing on the final roster before landing on the IR. He will remain there for the rest of the season unless he and the team reach an injury settlement.

08.17.17

With the trade of Jordan Matthews to Buffalo, Trey Burton has been talked about as a possibility to play the slot, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact

Nelson Agholor is the front-runner to step up and start in the slot, but should he disappoint again, Burton and rookie wide receiver Mack Hollins have been discussed as options. Carson Wentz praised Burton on Tuesday, saying he thought he could really trust the fourth-year TE. With that kind of endorsement from one's QB, Burton could be poised for a larger role in the Eagles' offense this season no matter what specific role he fills.

08.16.17

Brandon Williams and Darell Daniels have taken most of injured Erik Swoope's practice reps this week, the Greensburg Daily News reports.

Impact

Daniels, an undrafted free agent, has a chance to make the roster with Swoope expected to miss several weeks after minor knee surgery. Daniels spent his college career at Washington, where he accumulated 47 receptions for 728 yards and five touchdowns over three seasons. It's conceivable he could win a steady role in the offense if Swoope's injury is a long-term issue.

08.16.17

Bucky Hodges remains behind Kyle Carter on the depth chart as the No. 4 tight end as his development has been slow in training camp, ESPN reports. He did not have a reception in Minnesota's first preseason game.

Impact

The 2017 sixth-round draft pick has intriguing size and speed (6-foot-6, with a 4.57-second 40-yard dash), but he may be more of a long-term project than someone who will make an immediate impact this season.